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School NewsletterTerm 1 Week 3, 2016

IMPORTANT DATESPlease also remember the online calendar

TERM 1Sat 13 Feb Working Bee15-19 Feb Class 9 CampWed 17 Feb 6pm Board MeetingFri 19 Feb Community Evening - All Welcome

Term 1 Week 3, February 2016 www.sophiamundi.vic.edu.au

Dear all,

The term is in full swing with Class 9 completing their first aid orientation, Class 4 away on camp at Walkerville and our Shrove Tuesday festivities marking the season of Lent. Welcome to all the new families across the school. We hope you feel the embrace of our wonderful community and I warmly invite you to the Community evening on Friday 19 Feb – to enjoy pizza’s from our wood fired oven.

Though Summer has of late shown its more temperate aspects, we may still experience days of extreme weather. Please be mindful that on days of CFA declared Extreme and ‘Code Red’ (Catastrophic) Fire Danger days, the school will be open as we are not in a designated high risk area but please consider your child/youth travelling in the heat of the days and whether they should be kept at home. Please keep informed from the CFA website.

Sophia Mundi has continued to attract some fabulous new teachers to the school. This year we welcome: Severine Ball, our new Spanish and French teacher, Anneke Top (Outdoor Ed and Geography), Christopher Roache (Middle school classroom music and voice), Elizabeth Noakes (Library), Christian Parsell (Middle school Science) and finally it gives great pleasure to announce that Tom Hungerford will be replacing our Jill Casavecchia while on Parental leave in Class 3.

Parent College: This group was inspired out of the School Improvement Plan meetings in 2014 and started meeting on Thursday mornings in 2015. I feel that the parent college is a wonderful initiative for parents to explore their own journeys in an honest and creative place. I invite all parents to come along. However, if this time is not possible and you are interested in an evening gathering please contact Jennifer West jennifer.west@sophiamundi.voc.edu.au

Next newsletter admissions deadline: Wed 24 February

From Calendar of the Soul, by Rudolf SteinerThus first my Being stirs:

Which, far from World-existence,In Self would Self extinguish

And building on its own foundationsWithin itself, would slay its Being.

Photo: Shrove Tuesday Pancakes

The Parents and Friends association (PFA) will meet in the Library on Tuesday 24 February and will be chaired again by Jane Davis. Thank you Jane for stepping so ably into this important position for the community.

Announcement: Sophia Mundi has finally heard from the International Baccalaureate Organisation (IBO) that the Vocational or Careers Program arm of the IB (IBCP) for senior students will be available in Victoria pending Victorian Registrations and Qualifications Authority (VRQA) approval. With this fabulous news we have initiated the process of Authorisation and we are looking to offer this course which bypasses ATARs and has direct entry to TAFEs and Universities through Memorandums of Understanding (MOU). If all goes well, Authorisation will be in Term 4 and Commencement in January 2017!

Warm regards,

Fiona

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OVERDUE SCHOOL FEESWe understand that paying school fees may have been the last thing on your mind while relaxing over the holiday period. Nonetheless, this is a timely and urgent reminder to all parents/guardians who have not paid their now overdue school fees that they SHOULD ALREADY HAVE DONE SO prior to the start of term one.

ADULT EURYTHMYTuesdays at 2:35-3:05pm in the Eurythmy room. Come and experience gentle soul nourishing moves. Open for anyone just wanting to know a little or more about eurythmy. All welcome!$5 per sessionkelly.papas@sophiamundi.vic.edu.au

Term 1 Week 3, February 2016 www.sophiamundi.vic.edu.au

SPRING FAIRWe warmly invite all parents to contribute to the creation of our spring fair. The fair is run by a parent lead body and needs your support to ensure a successful event. If you have any ideas for this year’s fair, would like to initiate your own activity/ stall or would like to participate in the organisation and running of the fair please email Jane. All positions are up for grabs! contact springfair@sophiamundi.edu.au

SLOW FOODWe are currently looking for a Slow Food Market co-ordinator to manage Sophia Mundi’s Stall at the Slow Food Farmers Market. We are also asking for the community’s help baking items for our Slow Food stall. Each month during term time, Sophia Mundi runs a stall at the Slow Food Market held at the Convent. It’s a great way for the school to be involved in the local community, promote ourselves and raise consiousness of our presence at the Convent. The school is also open on those days and conducting school tours.This term we will run a baking day on the Friday before market day in the canteen and would love you to assist. We also welcome goods baked at home and brought in on Friday to school. Or, if you’d like to help man the stall, set up or pack up - please get in touch! slowfood@sophiamundi.gsi.gov.auThe dates for the Slow food stalls are as follows:Saturday 27 FebruarySaturday 24 AprilSaturday 28 MaySaturday 25 JuneSaturday 23 JulySaturday 27 AugustSaturday 22 OctoberSaturday 26 Novemebr

FUNDRAISINGAlways so much potential when considering how to employ funds for the school. Music and Art departments, play equipment, school bus(!). We would love your support in joining a fundraising team to innovate and initiate fundraising within the school. Ideas for this year include an on-line silent auction mid year. Would you like to help? Any other thoughts? Please contact pfa@sophiamundi.gov.edu.au

COURTYARD DEVELOPMENTCongratulations to the hard working parents (John and Rowan in particular) for their amazing work on the courtyard playground. And there is more to come! Please support their efforts in joining the ongoing working bees or help out with fundraising activities.

School CommunityPizza EveningTo celebrate the beginning of 2016 We welcome all new families, teachers and students and look forward to seeing those we already know.

The Parent and Friends Association invite everyone to a School Community Pizza Evening

Friday 19 February 6-8pmPlease bring along a salad or dessert to share, pizzas will be provided. BYO Drinks (non alcoholic)

Sophia Mundi Steiner SchoolSt Mary’s, Abbotsford Convent1 St Heliers Street, Abbotsford

Community EveningOur annual community evening 6-8pm Friday 19th March - join us to welcome new families and make new connections across the school. A great opportunity to have a no-fuss class social event too.Pizza’s will be provided and some musical entertainment curtesy of our talented musical staff. Please bring a salad or nibbles to share and a joyful heart!

PFA MEETINGAll are welcome at our Parents and Friends association meetings. Our first for the year will be held on 7.15pm Tuesday 8 March at school. If you would like the PFA to consider any issues, please let us know.

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PART-TIME COURSES AT THE MELBOURNE RUDOLF STEINER SEMINAR.Now that the holidays are over and families are settling back into school, perhaps you are thinking about how you might develop yourself over the coming year. With this in mind, we invite you to join any of our inspiring evening courses for adults commencing Wednesday 10th February from 7.00 p.m. at the Melbourne Rudolf Steiner Seminar.These courses are for everyone seeking to develop their understanding of Rudolf Steiner Education. Each evening we have a movement or artistic activity, supper and then a lecture/discussion. The evening also offers an enjoyable social experience. Have a look at our website for a full overview of these programs, or to enrol on-line. Part-time courses in 2016 include:• Nourishing Early Childhood, which explores the life of the very young child from 0-7• Understanding Child Development and Rudolf Steiner Education, which considers the child during

the Primary years.• Rudolf Steiner High School Education• Biodynamics (Note: this is offered on a Thursday evening. http://www.biodynamicsvictoria.orgInformation:www.steinerseminar.comoffice@steinerseminar.comor phone 9876 5199

Term 1 Week 3, February 2016 www.sophiamundi.vic.edu.au

THANK YOU O’BRIEN GLASS.Obrien Glass Nunawading has very kindly donated over $300 of glass to support class 9 in their Terrarium Project, as part of their Hard Arts course this Semester.This is a very generous gift and makes a huge difference in the ability of the students to complete an ambitious and challenging project.Phil Jopson,Class 9 Hard Arts Teacher

IB VISUAL ART EXHIBITION The IB Visual Art Exhibition is opening this Friday night, February 12 at Glen Eira City Council Gallery Hawthorn Rd and Glen Eira rd Caulfield. Walter Bakowski. Kater Waters and Piers Martin’s work will be representing the school. The exhibition will be open from Feb 11th - Feb 28th seven days a week.

CONGRATULATIONS MICHELLEOur art teacher Michelle Zuccolo has been selected from a pool of over 600 applicants as one of the finalists for the Adelaide Perry Prize for Drawing. All of the finalists work will be on display from February 27 untill March 4 at the Adelaide Perry Gallery.

LOST PROPERTYThis year we have a group of teachers looking after Lost Proerty. The group includes Dianne and Anne. We would like to gather all lost and unclaimed items at the end of each term. These will be washed and then given to charity.To help minimize the amount of displaced clothes it would be great if students had labels with their names attached to precious items (particularly jumpers). There is a cupboard in the courtyard which is lost property’s home. Have a look there if you are missing any children’s items.Thanks Gregorio

“BABYSITTER/PART-TIME NANNY NEEDED: We are looking for someone suitable to look after our two girls (Class 5 and Class 2) after school on Monday and Tuesday afternoons from 3.15 (school pick-up) for 3 to 4 hours. We live locally (in Abbotsford). This job would be perfect for someone either in older classes at school or an ex-student, someone who is energetic and who enjoys younger kids, is happy to make simple meals/tidying up as go. Hours may be somewhat flexible - can discuss. If you are interested, or want more information, please call Jo on 0449961202.”

4The inclusion of adverts/links do not represent an endorsement of those sites by Sophia Mundi, nor can the School be held responsible or liable for the accuracy, availability or content of the information or services therein.

Term 1 Week 3, February 2016 www.sophiamundi.vic.edu.au

Abbotsford Convent, Rosina Auditorium St. Hellers St, Abbotsford @6:30pm -7:30 pm Every Tuesday night from the 1st March

Casual Classes $15

Discount Cards

Available

EMAIL INQUIRES

FitnesswithJanina@icloud.com

@ Fitness with Janina

CRAFT CURRICULUM COURSE FOR ADULTS AT SOPHIA MUNDI STEINER SCHOOL.

In this course, we make many of the articles that the students make during craft lessons in a Steiner primary School. We will explore the links between the handwork, stages in the child’s development and other curriculum areas.

Taken for a full year, this course is a comprehensive training for those wishing to teach handwork in a Steiner school. However, no previous teaching or craft experience is necessary, nor is the intention to teach.

Commences Tuesday February 16th from 7 to 8.30pmCost: $30.00 per week, materials includedEnquiries: Email marg.skerry@gmail.com

LEARN TO SWIM The Jan Grutzner Swim School runs classes at the beautiful warm, clean and private pool at the Epworth Hospital in Richmond,(parking avail-able). Jan has over 40 of experience and offers les-sons for all ages from 3 years old, all abilities, and specializes in nervous beginners of all ages. Groups are small, the atmosphere is quiet and calm, and children learn in deep water from the very first lesson. Call on 94283620 to arrange a visit or to discuss your child’s needs.

Hello, My name is Campbell Bott, I am a parent at Sophia Mundi and this year I am participating in Moomba Birdman Rally. It’s a charity fundraiser and I’m raising money for Beyondblue. BeyondBlue is a wonderful organisation that supports Australians with depression and anxiety.

I’d be grateful if you could take some time and donate to this wonderful cause via the link belowhttps://birdman2016.everydayhero.com/au/campbell

Little Seeds Nature Playgroup Come and join our new play based program starting in March in the Melbourne Gardens.

We will explore nature in sun or rain as we sing, walk, garden and most importantly play! Sing songs, hear a seasonal story and learn about the role of play in child development and how to connect young children to the natural world.

“Exploring nature with your child is largely a matter of becoming receptive to what lies all around you.” ~ Rachel Carson, A Sense of Wonder

Please note children must be aged between 3 and 5 years old and be accompanied by a parent or carer.

When Term 1 – Tuesdays Tuesday 1 March to Tuesday 22 March 2016

Time Gather at 9.30am for tea. Program starts at 9.45am and finishes at 11.30am Where Observatory House Lawn Cost $110 for 4 weeks Bookings essential Please call 03 9252 2358 for bookings and enquiries

For further information and bookings, please contact:

Phone: 03 9252 2358 Email: edserv@rbg.vic.gov.au Website: rbg.vic.gov.au

Dear All,It is a great joy and privilege to run Playgroup at Sophia Mundi on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings.Our new families are settling in well and enjoying being in the heart of the school. Playgroup runs from 9.15 to 11.20 am. If you are interested then please feel free to come and say hello and ask questions as I set the cottage up at school drop off time.This year I’m also running an all outdoor Playgroup for 3 to 5 year olds at the Royal Botanic Gardens starting in March. This term ( it will be the very first time it runs) will go for 4 weeks so every Tuesday in March. The start time is 9.45 am.Please feel free to show the flyer to any families you know that may be interested. Thank you.Have a wonderful year!Vicky -Playgroup Leader